07.17.19
Cypress Multigraphics (Tinley Park, IL) purchased a Mark Andy Digital Series HD last summer and took delivery in September, directly following Labelexpo Americas.
“We’ve been watching the digital market develop over the last 10 years and up until recently, we felt the process was treated like an afterthought," said Brad Weber, president/owner, Cypress Multigraphics. "Like a copier tucked away in the back of the pressroom that required additional production steps. It went against the grain of everything we believed in from our flexo upbringing.
“Hybrid capability is what got our interest going in the Mark Andy Digital Series HD," Cypress GM Tim Thomas added. "And for a while, competitive digital press resolution, speed, and capability weren't there for the standards our customers required.”
Cypress Multigraphics’ configuration consists of four flexo print stations- two before and two after the seven-color UV inkjet digital module. These features coupled with a rail system and QCDC-SR semi-rotary die-cutting allows the company to marry printing, decorating and finishing at 240 fpm in a single pass. High opacity digital white, above 85%, has also served as an acceptable alternative for customers that require screen printing.
The company used the Digital Series HD acquisition to phase out 2-3 legacy flexo presses.
Cypress said it is aggressively pursuing the craft beer market share while continuing as a provider of durables, nutraceutical, automotive and food market applications.
“There is a lot of new work to be won and we are always hungry," Thomas said.
“Digital scared our team to death at first," Weber said. "Making the switch was like going from water to UV-based inks in flexo. But it’s paid off quick and everyone is on the hybrid bandwagon and excited to have this new capability and learning experience.”
Brad Weber (left), Melanie Rakowski, production manager (middle) and Tim Thomas (right) with Cypress Multigraphics' Digital Series HD.